Certainly, I was arrested because I refused to leave the bank property when asked to. But, I was also arrested because of something my friend Greg Yost said. He said: “its 2013, y’all. It’s time to be heard.”

Greg is right. It is time to be heard. It is time to stand up to corporate greed, legislative idiocy, leadership mediocrity, environmental exploitation, citizen inaction and more.

Most of all, it is time to stand up and defend this beautiful blue green planet we call home.

Speaking of home, I’m wondering where the yoga community is? In my trek to DC, in the public hearings on electricity rate hikes and in the protests around town, I’m not seeing the yogis. And, it’s bumming me out because we need you. We need you to get up off your yoga mat and practice some actionasana. We need you to work for change and for the liberation from suffering for all beings.

These vows cannot be broken. To consider one a yogi is to consider one an activist. These great vows beckon us into the world, calling us forward to work for a sustainable and equitable future for all life, to take action when things are unjust, when pain is being caused.

At this juncture, I can think of no more catastrophic pain than the pain of altering our climate, and the suffering that will surely result from destroying the planet.

I’ll be looking for you out on the frontlines because:

1) I love you and,

2) Ahimsa is our call to action.

Sierra Hollister is a green yogini living in the mountains outside of Asheville, NC . She is an advocate for mindful change in this world, and for the protection of this planet. You may reach Sierra via her blog.

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So true, thank you for the perspective and for expanding the potential of yogis. These are the calls that beckon us to come out into the world and remind us that we are now, in part, of it all. With gratitude and an ahimsa hallelujah!

Yes! One of the most genuine understandings that has come through my yoga practice is the inherent interconnectedness of all- humans, animals, inhale & exhale, past present future, plants, soil, om om om… So even if I think myself totally innocent or not responsible for something (i.e. not directly causing harm/ pain/ suffering), I'm still participating in so many ways. So sat nam and blessings, may we act mindfully in ways that create the most healing! Much gratitude for leading by example Sierra <3 <3

Sierra – bravo! and thanks. Most people I know who go to church, attend meditation groups, use yoga as their spiritual practice do so for personal spiritual growth/transformation. The mat or pew is a place for refuge, rest, restoration. Thanks for reminding us that spiritual practice allows us to reconnect to purpose and meaning, our larger communities of living beings, God or a higher power, i.e. that which gives us the courage, determination, and patience to engage within the world. Spiritual practice is the vehicle for spiritual resistance of the destructiveness of our industrialized consumer culture. The inner peace we seek cannot occur unless we attain outer peace. As Arundhati Roy wrote: "What does “peace” mean? You know, we may not need peace in this unjust society, because that’s a way of accepting injustice. So what you need is people who are prepared to resist, but not just on a weekend."

It started with the "fighting corporate greed" thing. That, to me, is a signal. Blaming someone else. There's nothing particularly greedy about corporations, or particularly MORE greedy, anyway. They, you, we, all of us are greedy. That's part of why we need yoga. Blaming it on one particular group 'out there' is a way to transfer responsibility from ourselves but not necessarily a way to find real solutions.

For example, the "living in the mountains around Asheville" bit. Isn't that one of those places that Yogis and Americans in general love to live where you have to "burn a quart of gas to buy a quart of milk"? Ok, it might not be milk for yoga types, but you get the point.

Corporations, out of their greed, respond to our greed. That's the way it works. The free market negotiates peaceful exchanges of greed. Ahimsa for the real world in which almost everyone is greedy. (Never thought of that before! But the free market is, in fact, Real World Ahimsa! Ahimsa for greedy people!)

One really big thing you could do is move to a city like, if you're in America, SF, NY, or Boston, where you can live a normal life without a car. By doing that, you could make a real difference in lowering the demand for oil, the particular greed we're concerned with here. That way, even if you are the kind of person who doesn't feel right with confrontational activism, you can go straight to the heart of the problem. And maybe do a lot more, in a quiet way, than confrontation does.

Thank you Mark Ledbetter for what you say. It will challenge people as there is truth in it. I was present at the rally. A few days later I saw a friend who had planned on attending but wasn’t there. He said that he was not there because he chose not to drive that day, and that was how he participated. I was envious that his life choices in our culture permit him the freedom not to participate in our gradual choking. I choose to live close to downtown. I ride my bike when practical. I hang my laundry, shop local, keep the heat low, and I teach as a profession. It galls me to the depth of my soul to continually give money to participate in our choking. I acknowledge the set of choices I’ve made in order to participate in our culture, and I keep choosing to do what I can to alter its destructive orientations.
I plan on following the example of Sierra and the other three arrestees. Mark Ledbetter, thank you for challenging us to do better. Sincerely, Andrew Weatherly

Taking action is simply a way of becoming whole with one's inner truth. Many folks talk about doing things. Talk about how things should be. And talk is better than silience. But one cannot possible become whole if one is incapable of standing in ones inner truth and living through the sacrifice. That sacrifice may be one's freedom for a time, or perhaps ones life for that matter. It may be as simple as public humiliation or name calling, but it is still sacrifice and that is what changes ourself which in turn changes the world. It is about being honest in the world regardless of the consequences. That is what being spiritual is all about. And history shows that that is indeed what changes the world and our future. it is in fact the story of Jesus and many other spiritual masters.

Lastly, it should also be stated that all actions taken in this way are what build thee foundation of transformation. Nobody has "the answer". What is important is that where ever you are at whatever actions you can take that reflect your inner truth, that is all that is required. Let's leave the rest up to the cosmos.

Sierra , your action and sacrifice inspire me and others. There is not one perfect answer to our dependence on oil, but your words and lifestyle choices offer all of us options to work with in our efforts to simplify our lives and protect our planet. The Keystone pipeline is a horrendous mistake in the making and it horrifies me that it may actually become a reality. Peaceful protests and lifestyle changes are our best tools for creating the world we want to protect for our children's children.
Thank you!

I was arrested with Sierra. It was an honor to join with her and two others to do this 'action.' We are at the 'tipping point' of humanity's survival on this planet yet we dally. The call to awaken is upon us. It's not just about our selves, it's about finding our Self through action, through speaking out, through raising awareness, especially in this country which 'knows not what it does.'

awesome to the power of 1000. I was arrested at a sit in at westpac (aussie bank) during the height of occupy. solidarity my fellow yoga teaching activist. someone has to stand up for stuff and if we are going to teach others to stand into their power we should live it too. so much love for this. non violent resistance is the way we will change the world. #nokxl

I have really enjoyed reading everyone's comments here. We all have caring hearts that yearn for expression at a time where there is so much pain, mistrust and greed. I must say my experience of being arrested on that day at TD Bank was enlightening. My heart was so strong, any monkey mind thoughts were dismissed. Vickie is right: we must live it in order for others to stand up too. My work with activism is always because I feel better about doing than talking. Thank you Sierra for sharing your story here.

I am thankful for you Sierra, in speaking up for our Blue Green planet in the clear and powerful way you do. As a busy mama/entrepeneur its very challenging to keep up to date the many things that need attention and action such as this. So thank you for shining light on the situation.. and I will do my part by sharing with my communities-especially other yogins, this article. Weaving in the yoga sutras in this manner really speaks to my heart as well. Lets hope we can all find that inspiration and drive to bring our yoga into the world as skillful action/activism.

We each (yogin(ini) or not) have our causes and our very personal path or Dharma. You are very brave Sierra, to speak up so visibly. And, for each who are authentically called to this life and particular challenge, may blessings be ever showered upon you.